Video: Man City 4-0 Real Madrid watch all goals
Manchester City delivered an unstoppable performance filled with exceptional quality to overpower reigning champions Real Madrid and secure their place in the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Istanbul.
Despite previously losing two semi-finals to Real, City displayed flawless precision at the exhilarating Etihad Stadium, moving one step closer to claiming the elusive trophy that has always remained just out of reach for Pep Guardiola’s team.
Their performance in the mesmerizing first half, in particular, will be etched in memory, as the masters of this tournament were left astounded by City’s brilliance.
This victory propels City on an unstoppable march towards a treble consisting of the Champions League, Premier League (which they can secure with a victory against Chelsea on Sunday), and the FA Cup, where they will face Manchester United in the final at Wembley.
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois exhibited heroics by saving two early headers from Erling Haaland in the first half. However, he was powerless to prevent Bernardo Silva’s close-range finish after 23 minutes, with the Portugal midfielder adding a looping header eight minutes before half-time.
Although City faced occasional threats from Real in the second half, with Ederson making excellent saves from David Alaba and Karim Benzema, they proved to be no match. Manuel Akanji’s header deflected off Eder Militao and found the net 14 minutes from time, sparking jubilant celebrations.
In the closing moments of the game, substitute Julian Alvarez sealed the dominant win with a late strike after capitalizing on a brilliant pass from Phil Foden.
On June 10th, City will face Inter as they strive to win the Champions League for the first time.
City has positioned themselves magnificently to become only the second English club to achieve the Treble, a feat first accomplished by Manchester United in 1999.
Having seemingly broken Arsenal’s challenge in the Premier League title race, City will enter the match against Inter Milan as overwhelming favorites. Nevertheless, their desire to secure this achievement exclusively for themselves will serve as motivation for Manchester United in the FA Cup Final at Wembley.
While Guardiola’s side has previously found ways to miss out on the Champions League, the addition of Haaland’s sheer menace and enhanced defensive resilience make it difficult to envision them faltering against surprise finalists Inter.
City demonstrated their superiority over Real, a team renowned for their experience and quality, leaving them several classes below in a first half that ranks among the finest witnessed at this stadium. The dazzling interplay, fierce intensity, and remarkable pace granted City a two-goal advantage that would have been more substantial if not for Courtois’ excellence.
This night held a special atmosphere even before kick-off, and victory will taste all the sweeter after the pain endured in last season’s defeat at the same stage. City had come agonizingly close to reaching the final, only to concede two stoppage-time goals and be eliminated.
The Champions League has inflicted varying degrees of anguish on City despite their domestic dominance. However, if they replicate a performance akin to this in Istanbul, it is difficult to envision an efficient but unspectacular Inter side posing enough of a challenge to trouble them.
Leave feedback about this